Reconnecting America has joined the ClimatePlan partnership. The partnership includes dozens of California organizations dedicated to addressing land use, transportation and climate change in California. Our network represents a broad spectrum of interests, ranging from public health advocates to farmland preservationists, and we all are dedicated to smart land use policies and creating a sustainable future for Californians.

Analysis of the President's FY 2012 Budget The Administration's FY2012 budget request to Congress focuses on advancing economic growth and job creation through investments in education and job-training; incentivizing innovation and investment in research and development; rebuilding crumbling infrastructure; and reducing America's fiscal deficits through bipartisan cooperation. The budget request totals $3.73 trillion with significant funding for transportation-related investments, and budget cuts and reductions to programs in several depart­ments.

Reconnecting America was pleased to see that the president’s budget for Fiscal Year 2012 offers significant deficit-reduction, but also calls for substantial investment in our nation’s infrastructure, particularly for public transportation and high-speed rail.

Today, in Philadelphia, Vice President Joe Biden, accompanied by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, announced a $53 billion, six-year program to accelerate construction of the nation’s high-speed rail network. The plan calls for $8 billion in fiscal year 2012 to jumpstart the program.

The House of Representatives' new Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, Florida Rep. John L. Mica, has announced the locations for a series of national field hearings and public forums on transportation legislation later this month.